Fine results for Maltese weightlifters at European Small Nations Championships

The Malta Weightlifting national team competed at the European Small Nations Championships in Iceland, which saw the participation of athletes from seven different countries.

The Maltese team delivered an outstanding performance with an impressive haul of nine medals and several national records set.

First on stage was Kim Camilleri Lagana, who delivered a strong display in the 53kg category, achieving her personal best total of 167kg and securing first place in the junior female category, ahead of Iceland and Cyprus.

The junior men’s team made history with an extraordinary result, as all three Maltese athletes were on the podium.

Rylee Borg took first place with a total of 278kg and 339 points. He was followed by Nathan Mifsud on 331 points with 222kg, while Luke Stefan Micallef placed third with 213kg and 310 points.

Mifsud also set two new national records in the Youth 65kg category when lifting 122kg in the Clean & Jerk and a combined total of 222kg, which for the 16-year-old is a new national best across all age categories up to seniors.

Micallef also had a fine showing in the 65kg category. The young lifter set a new Clean & Jerk record of 123kg in both the junior and the senior categories.

Additional medals came in the junior doubles, where Borg and Camilleri Lagana secured another podium finish.

In the senior women’s category, Tenishia Thornton and Roberta Tabone both delivered strong performances.

Thornton lifted a total of 201kg, finishing just a few kilogrammes behind Iceland, while Tabone compiled a total of 192kg.

In the senior women’s doubles, Malta secured the silver medal, with Iceland taking gold and Cyprus finishing third.

In the senior men’s doubles, Rylee Borg and Nathan Mifsud also claimed the silver medal, finishing behind Cyprus, with Iceland taking third place.

The participation in this competition was made possible thanks to the support of SportMalta and the Malta Olympic Committee.

All in all, it was a remarkable weekend for Maltese weightlifting, which fielded the youngest ever team in such a competition, with five of the six athletes competing aged less than 20 years and returning home with nine medals.

The Maltese team will again be in action at the Malta International Open Championships, which will be held between March 28 and 29.

This tournament will serve as preparation for the upcoming European Championships, which will serve as a qualification for the Commonwealth and the Mediterranean Games.